The Town of Riga hereby intends to regulate all disturbing, excessive, or offensive noises in order to preserve, protect, and promote the public health, safety and welfare, and the peace, quiet, comfort, and repose of the inhabitants of the Town and visitors thereto. This chapter is to be construed liberally but it is not intended to be construed so as to discourage the enjoyment by residents of normal, reasonable, and usual activities.
This chapter shall hereafter be known and cited as the "Noise Law of the Town of Riga."
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms used herein are defined as follows:
MOTOR VEHICLE Any vehicle that is propelled by means, other than human or animal power, on land. The term "motor vehicle" shall also include snowmobiles, dirt bikes/motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) but shall exclude farm machinery used during agricultural activities.
PERSON Any individual, firm, association or corporation, whether such person is the owner, lessee or charter member, its servants, agents or employees and/or their guests.
SOUND DEVICE APPARATUS Any radio device or apparatus or any device or apparatus for the amplification of sounds from any radio, phonograph or other sound-making or sound-producing device or any device or apparatus for the reproduction or amplification of the human voice or other sounds.
UNNECESSARY That which is not required by usual circumstances.
UNREASONABLE NOISE Any disturbing, excessive, or offensive sound that disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. This shall include any sound capable of being heard through the closed windows and doors of a bedroom, living room or den of a house located 50 feet or more from the source of the device emitting the sound; or which endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals; or which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.
USUAL The normal noise range for a particular type of vehicle or mechanism.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following acts:
A. The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency.
B. Activities from federal, state, or local government-sponsored celebrations, activities, or events.
C. Activities in buildings of public use, parks, or playgrounds, under permission or authority of the Town Board.
D. The operation or use of any organ, radio, bell chimes, or other instrument, apparatus, or device by a church, synagogue, or school licensed or chartered by the State of New York.
E. Agricultural activities and permitted industrial activities.
F. The use of snow blowers, lawn mowers, and domestic power tools.
G. Registered snowmobiles on designated trails.
H. Noise generated by the installation and maintenance of utilities.
I. The discharge of firearms for the purposes of hunting during the hours permitted by New York State law.
L. Noise from emergency construction for which a permit has been issued by the Town Code Enforcement Officer.
M. Emergency vehicles including fire trucks and ambulances.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Monroe County Sheriffs Department, New York State Police, or other police agency.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation and shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 and not to exceed $250 for the first offense and shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250 or 15 days in jail for subsequent offenses. The Town of Riga may also seek injunctive relief to prevent the continued violation of this chapter.